Molecular Medicine

Chewing the Fat: Insulin Signaling In Type 2 Diabetes

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:17:33 -0400

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is strongly associated with obesity and is characterized by early and marked insulin resistance in adipose tissue. Consequently, T2D is associated with disrupted cellular metabolism. While insulin resistance in T2D is due to defects in signaling, the details remain largely unknown. Target of rapamycin (TOR) plays a key role in cellular metabolism control, cell growth and tolerance to starvation. In mammals, TOR forms a complex with the protein raptor (mTORC1). Öst et al. further investigated the function of mTORC1 in subjects with type 2 diabetes and a BMI greater than 27. Results in adipocytes from obese patients show insulin-activated mTORC1 is attenuated, autophagic activity is increased, and mitochondrial function is impaired. These findings further our understanding of insulin resistance mechanis

Improving The Success Of Pancreas Transplants

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:23:20 -0400

Patients with type 1 diabetes face the prospect of complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease. A successful pancreas transplant provides almost normal glucose homeostasis, but patients require lifelong immunosuppressive medication. Wee et al. investigated the effect of the T-cell apoptosis compound tautomycetin (TMC) on rat islet transplantation both alone and in combination with cyclosporine A (CsA). They demonstrate that TMC inhibits T-cell proliferation without affecting islet or splenocyte viability. The authors also found that islet allograft survival could be prolonged through a combination of TMC and subtherapeutic doses of CsA. Furthermore, the same experimental doses of either immunosuppressive agent alone did not result in any beneficial effect on islet allografts. This novel combination of known agents may lead to greater long-term success of pancreas transplants in those suffering with diabe

View Articles in the July-August 2010 Issue of Molecular Medicine

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:33:37 -0400

Papers in Press - Read new papers prior to publication.

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:05:32 -0400